THE  ROBERT  E.  COWRN  COLLECTION 

PRESENTED    TO    THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

BY 

C.  P.  HUNTINGTON 


dUNE,  1897. 


Accession  No./^  J/^ 


Class 


,  MaRer 


THE 


WITCH  HYPNOTIZER 


BY 

ZENA  A.    MAHER 


PUBLISHED   FOR  THE  AUTHOR 


SAN  FRANCISCO 
THE    BANCROFT   COMPANY 

1892 


76  3/<+ 

COPYRIGHT,  1892 


BY 

A. 


Issued  from  the  Press  of 
THE   BANCROFT  COMPANY 


"So  ySlg  JfusBand, 
tfie  truest  and  J2c6lest  of 


-x- 


THE  WITCH  HYPNOTIZER 


CHAPTER  I. 

Let  there  be  light.    Genesis  i,  3. 

Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works, 
and  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in  Heaven.  Matthew  v,  16. 

In  the  world  of  imagination  many  Witches  have  lived  and  died 
since  the  one  of  whose  existence  and  wonders  I  am  about  to  relate, 
came  into  prominence. 

She  lived  quite  alone  in  a  little  cottage  on  the  outskirts  of  a  large 
city  in  America,  of  course,  and  why  should  not  the  free  soil  produce 
all  sorts  when  it  is  the  dumping  ground  for  all  creation? 

Alone,  with  the  exception  of  her  dog  and  several  cages  of  canaries 
which,  by  the  way,  were  a  new  departure  in  the  line  of  pets,  for  the 
old-time  Witches  were  supposed  to  favor  cats-'  and  parrots,  she  com- 
manded the  respect  of  all,  but  there  was  something  so  very  peculiar 
about  her  that  some  of  her  more  superstitious  neighbors  looked  upon 
this  woman  as  a  kind  of  good  Witch . 

There  was  nothing  remarkable  about  her  personal  appearance  and 
the  peculiarity  was  not  visibly  noticeable.  It  was  nothing  tangible, 
but  an  indescribable  something  which  gave  her  influence  over  other 
minds,  to  bend  them  to  her  will. 

Every  one  felt  this  more  or  less  in  her  presence;  a  giving  up  of  pet 
hobbies,  even,  to  her  ideas,  which  fortunately  were  very  liberal. 

There  was  that  also  about  her  sympathetic  nature  which  invited 
confidence,  and  many  who  were  not  given  to  complaining  found 
themselves,  they  hardly  knew  why,  telling  her  their  secret  sorrows. 

For  years  this  Witch  or  woman  was  herself  unconscious  of  this 
power,  but  when  she  fully  realized  it,  her  work  to  her  conscientious 
heart  was  laid  out,  and  that  must  be  in  doing  all  the  good  possible 
through  this  genius  that  was  hers. 

She  had  always  endeavored  to  do  her  best,  ever  ready  to  lend  a 
helping  hand  to  any  one  in  trouble. 


THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


CHAPTER  II. 

While  attending  to  her  birds  one  morning,  the  Witch  was  inter- 
rupted by  a  knock  at  the  door  and  a  summons  from  one  of  her 
neighbors,  who  had  sent  a  child  to  ask  if  this  good  soul  would  come 
over. 

Yes,  she  would  be  there  directly. 

Donning  her  sombre  colored  bonnet  and  shawl  the  Witch  started 
for  her  neighbor's.  The  unhappy  little  woman  craved  sympathy,  and 
had  sent  for  her  who  knew  so  well  how  to  render  it. 

She  told  the  oft-repeated  story  of  a  drunkard's  wife.  Her  husband 
had  left  home  the  previous  evening  and  had  not  returned,  and  after 
these  prolonged  sprees  she  feared  his  coming,  who  was  the  kindest  of 
men  when  himself,  but  very  savage  when  under  the  influence  of 
liquor.  Then,  too,  she  was  afraid  that  he  would  lose  his  position, 
which  his  employer  had  threatened  if  he  did  not  attend  to  work  better. 

The  Witch  told  her  to  be  of  good  cheer ;  that  all  would  be  well 
with  her  yet. 

She  looked  at  the  shabby  furniture  and  still  shabbier  clothing  of 
the  children.  This  family  had  once  been  in  comfortable  circumstances, 
but  were  brought  to  this  state  of  poverty  through  intemperance,  the 
prevailing  evil. 

For  the  drunkard  and  the  glutton  shall  come  to  poverty.    Proverbs,  xxiii, 

And  yet  how  much  good  these  beverages  might  do  if  used  in  mod- 
eration, but  too  many  are  with  this,  like  all  their  other  appetites  over 
which  they  have  no  control.  The  mind  should  be  made  to  strive 
harder  after  the  knowledge  of  God  in  order  to  subdue  these  carnal 
desires. 

For  they  that  are  after  the  flesh  do  mind  the  things  of  the  flesh;  but  they 
that  are  after  the  Spirit,  the  things  of  the  Spirit. 

For  to  be  carnally  minded  is  death;  but  to  be  spiritually  minded  is  life 
and  peace. 

Because  the  carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God;  for  it  is  not  subject  to  the 
law  of  God,  neither  indeed  can  be. 

So  then  they  that  are  in  the  flesh  cannot  please  God. 

As  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God 
Romans  viii,  5,  G,  7,  8, 14. 

Woe  unto  them  that  rise  up  early  in  the  morning,  that  they  may  follow 
strong  drink,  that  continue  until  night,  till  wine  inflame  them! 

Woe  unto  them  that  are  mighty  to  drink  wine,  and  men  of  strength  to 
mingle  strong  drink.  Isaiah  v,  11,  22. 


THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZE R.  ^^i:^: 

He  that  soweth  to  his  flesh  shall  of  the  flesh  reap  corruption;  but  he  that 
soweth  to  the  Spirit  shall  of  the  Spirit  reap  life  everlasting.  Galatians  vi.  8. 

All  things  indeed  are  pure;  but  it  is  evil  for  that  man  who  eateth  with 
offense. 

It  is  good  neither  to  eat  flesh,  nor  to  drink  wine,  nor  anything  whereby 
thy  brother  stumbleth,  or  is  offended,  or  is  made  weak.  Romans  xiv,  20,  21. 

Whilst  we  are  at  home  in  the  body,  we  are  absent  from  the  Lord.  II 
Corinthians  v,  6. 

Be  not  drunk  with  wine  wherein  is  excess;  but  be  filled  with  the  Spirit. 
Ephesians  v,  18. 

Walk  in  the  Spirit  and  ye  shall  not  fulfill  the  lust  of  the  flesh.  Galatians 
v,  16. 

Denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly,  righteously 
and  godly  in  this  present  world.  Titus  ii,  12. 

About  midday  this  fallen  image  of  God  came  home  partially 
sobered  and  ferocious  as  a  wild  animal.  The  Witch  mentally  com- 
pared man  with  beast  and  gave  her  dog  the  preference. 

He  had  commenced  his  wicked  profanity,  when  a  hand  was  laid 
on  his  arm  and  reproachful  eyes  looked  into  his. 

Wine  is  a  mocker,  strong  drink  is  raging;  and  whoever  is  deceived  thereby 
is  not  wise.  Proverbs  xx,  1. 

God  created  man  in  his  own  image.    Genesis  i,  27. 

Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  the  temple  of  God,  and  that  the  Spirit  of  God 
dwelleth  in  you  ? 

If  any  man  defile  the  temple  of  God,  him  shall  God  destroy;  for  the 
temple  of  God  is  holy,  which  temple  ye  are.  I  Corinthians  iii,  16, 17. 

After  this  he  sat  quietly  for  a  long  time  apparently  lost  in  thought; 
then  this  truly  penitent  one  arose,  stood  beside  his  wife  and  vowed 
that  in  future  he  would  be  a  better  man,  and  their  home  should  be 
happy  as  in  the  old  days  before  this  false  friend  took  possession. 

Tears  of  happiness  were  streaming  from  the  little  woman's  eyes, 
and  our  Witch  withdrew,  thanking  God  in  her  heart  for  this  power  he 
had  given  her. 


THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


CHAPTER  III. 

On  reaching  home  she  found  a  neighbor  waiting  outside,  who 
entered  with  her,  in  the  meantime  pouring  into  the  ever  sympathetic 
ears  her  trouble. 

She  was  bewailing  over  the  downfall  of  her  boy  who  heretofore 
had  been  exceptionally  dutiful,  invariably  spending  his  evening  at 
home,  but  of  late  all  was  changed.  He  had  contracted  the  card 
disease  with  all  its  adherent  vices,  which  was  rapidly  developing  into 
a  mania.  His  salary,  which  was  the  home  support,  was  being  sacri- 
ficed on  the  gambling  altar. 

Here  was  more  work.  The  only  son  and  mainstay  of  a  widowed 
mother  fast  going  to  ruin.  Yes,  something  must  be  done. 

Early  the  following  evening  the  Witch  made  it  her  business  to  pay 
a  visit  to  the  widow  about  tea  time.  The  son  was  hurriedly  finishing 
his  meal  preparatory  to  starting  out  for  the  night,  when  somehow  he 
changed  his  mind  and  stayed  at  home  instead,  and  our  friend,  the 
Witch,  knew  that  in  future  he  would  have  sufficient  strength  of  will 
to  pass  by  his  old  haunt  and  on  home  to  his  waiting  loving  mother 
with  his  earnings  in  his  pocket,  which  meant  more  home  comforts, 
more  books  and  evening  reading,  and  happiness  to  both. 

Turn  not  to  the  right  hand  nor  to  the  left;  remove  thy  foot  from  evil. 
Proverbs,  iv.  27. 

The  Witch  went  home  well  satisfied  with  her  day's  work,  and  that 
night  thought  and  planned  for  the  good  of  humanity.  Why  not 
venture  further  into  a  wider  range  for  action  ? 

She  might  peddle  her  songbirds  from  door  to  door,  and  in  this 
capacity  gain  access  into  houses  where  she  could  more  readily  acquaint 
herself  with  those  in  need  of  her  assistance. 


THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  next  morning  our  Witch  opened  her  Bible  and  read  as  she  was 
wont  to  do  before  any  new  undertaking.  Her  eyes  rested  on  these 
lines  : 

If  ye  then,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  unto  your  children, 
how  much  more  shall  your  Heavenly  Father  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them 
that  ask  him  ?  Luke  xi,  13. 

She  knelt  and  prayed  long  and  earnestly  for  an  abundance  of  this 
Holy  Spirit  to  guide  and  help  her.  She  took  her  birds  and  started 
out. 

I  will  put  my  spirit  within  you,  and  cause  you  to  walk  in  my  statutes, 
and  ye  shall  keep  my  judgments  and  do  them.  Ezekiel  xxxvi,  27. 

Her  first  stopping  place  was  at  a  dwelling  that  stood  back  some 
little  distance  from  the  street  and  was  surrounded  by  flowers. 

What  drew  her  attention  mo*t  was  the  appearance  of  a  little  child 
whose  innocent  face  reminded  her  that  purity  still  existed.  She 
entered  the  grounds  and  rang  the  bell. 

A  young  woman  opened  the  door  and  kindly  invited  her  in.  The 
Witch  made  some  remark  about  the  pretty  boy  outside,  when  she  saw 
an  expression  of  pain  flit,  over  the  lady's  face.  Something  wrong  here, 
she  thought. 

Yes,  the  child  was  hers;  she  had  loved  not  wisely  but  too  well, 
Her  betrayer,  a  prosperous  business  man  who  was  as  yet  unmarried, 
was  allowed  to  move  in  the  very  best  of  society,  but  the  finger  of 
scorn  was  pointed  at  her  from  all  sides. 

She  was  the  only  daughter  of  parents  who  thought  very  fondly  of 
their  lovable  grandchild,  still  felt  keenly  the  disgrace  that  had  been 
brought  upon  the  hitherto  spotless  family  name. 

Does  the  seventh  commandment  demand  more  obedience  from  one 
sex  than  the  other  ?  It  reads  as  if  it  was  spoken  to  both  alike.  Our 
Witch  learned  the  man's  name  and  business  address,  and  departed. 


10  THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


CHAPTER  V. 

She  was  so  in  sympathy  with  this  family  that  she  felt  in  a  hurry 
to  get  to  work,  and  so  signalled  a  passing  car  to  stop,  and  entered. 
It  was  well  filled,  but  two  seats  remaining  unoccupied  she  seated 
herself  in  one  of  them. 

Presently  a  little  colored  girl  came  in  and  took  the  other.  A 
high-bred  dame  sitting  next  elevated  her  aristocratic  nose  and  pulled 
her  skirts  aside  as  if  fearing  contamination. 

Hear  ye,  and  give  ear;  be  not  proud;  for  the  Lord  hath  spoken.  Jeremiah 
xiii,  15. 

There  is  a  generation,  O  how  lofty  are  their  eyes!    Proverbs  xxx,  13. 

Behold,  I  am  against  thee,  O  thou  most  proud,  saith  the  Lord  God  of 
Hosts.  Jeremiah  1,  31. 

Every  one  that  is  proud  in  heart  is  an  abomination  to  the  Lord.  Proverbs 
xvi,  5. 

I  will  cause  the  arrogancy  of  the  proud  to  cease,  and  will  lay  low  the 
haughtiness  of  the  terrible.  Isaiah  xiii,  11. 

The  lofty  looks  of  man  shall  be  humbled,  and  the  haughtiness  of  men 
shall  be  bowed  down.  Isaiah  ii,  11. 

Why  draw  this  color  line  so  tightly  ?  What  of  this  outer  covering  ? 
Have  not  these  people  immortal  souls  which  may  be  white  as  the 
whitest ;  and  in  many  cases,  brilliant  talents  ? 

The  Witch  remembered  a  circumstance  where  a  king  of  oratory, 
holding  a  high  official  position,  was  debarred  from  sitting  at  table 
with  a  ship's  crew  on  account  of  this  same  color,  which  was  only  a 
heavier  shading;  and  is  not  all  creation  a  matter  of  shadow  and  color- 
ing ? 

And  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of  men  for  to  dwell  on  all  the 
face  of  the  earth.  Acts  xvii,  26. 

A  shabbily  dressed  woman  came  in.  The  stamp  of  labor  was 
on  her  gloveless  hands,  and  she  looked  weary,  indeed.  But  no  atten- 
tion was  paid  her  whatever. 

Then  came  two  flashily  attired  females.  No  less  than  five  gentle- 
men arose  to  offer  seats.  Were  they  more  in  need  of  rest  than  this 
poor  laboring  woman  ? 

Ah,  well!  perhaps  they  were  more  heavily  burdened  with  their 
follies  than  she  with  her  cares. 

For  once  the  Witch  was  too  busy  with  many  thoughts  to  concen- 
trate her  mind  on  any  individual  in  particular,  and  passed  on  and  out 
of  the  car  to  finish  her  day's  work. 


THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZEB.  11 


CHAPTER  VI. 

She  went  in  to  a  business  establishment  and  made  her  way  to  the 
office.  The  proprietor,  a  busy  man  of  the  world,  was  at  his  desk. 
He  looked  in  surprise  at  the  cage  of  birds  ;  a  rather  unusual  place, 
certainly,  to  attempt  the  sale  of  a  bird,  the  business  house  of  a  man 
without  family. 

" I  have  no  use  for  pets  myself,  and  have  no  one  to  give  them  to." 

No  one  ?     Then  memory  stirred ;  he  thought  of  the  one  whom  he 

had  so  cruelly  wronged,  and  of  his  innocent  child  in  disgrace.     Why 

were  these  new  and  better  impulses  taking  possession  of  his  mind  ? 

He  did  not  know,  but  the  Witch  did. 

She  saw  the  result  of  her  work  a  few  days  later  when  his  marriage 
notice  was  published  in  the  paper.  Another  family  put  to  rights. 


OF  THK 

-ri--«-.-r->e«l 


12  THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Next,  a  respectable  looking  place  that  might  belong  to  the  occu- 
pants, for  there  was  not  that  unkempt  appearance  about  it  that  is 
peculiar  to  rented  property. 

Our  Witch  opened  the  gate  and  went  in.  A  scowling  woman  came 
to  the  door  who  looked  daggers  at  the  unwelcome  peddler,  and  said 
she  would  not  have  one  of  those  noisy  birds  in  the  house. 

About  this  time  her  tired-looking  husband  came  home  from  work, 
and  judging  from  the  tirade  of  abuse  heaped  upon  him,  it  was  evident 
that  she  certainly  would  not  tolerate  any  noise  about  the  premises 
that  she  could  not  make  herself. 

It  was  only  a  matter  of  time  when  this  quiet,  hard-working  man 
would  tire  of  his  home  life.  Husbands  with  such  life  partners  are 
not  so  much  to  blame  if  they  do  prefer  the  company  of  other  women, 
the  gambling  dens  and  saloons,  or  any  place  rather  than  their  homes. 

It  is  better  to  dwell  in  a  corner  of  the  housetop  than  with  a  brawling 
woman  in  a  wide  house.  Proverbs  xxi,  9. 

How  many  wives,  instead  of  trying  to  make  home  attractive,  drive 
happiness  away  with  their  cruel  tongues  ? 

Who  have  said  with  our  tongue  will  we  prevail ;  our  lips  are  our  own 
who  is  lord  over  us  ?  Psalms  xii,  4. 

Hold  thy  tongue.    Amos  vi,  10. 

The  tongue  is  a  fire,  a  world  of  iniquity. 

It  is  an  unruly  evil,  full  of  deadly  poison.    James  iii,  6,  8. 

A  soft  answer  turneth  away  wrath ;  but  grievous  words  stir  up  auger. 

A  wholesome  tongue  is  a  tree  of  life;  but  perverseness  therein  is  a  breach 
in  the  spirit.  Proverbs  xv,  1,  4. 

Let  all  bitterness,  and  wrath,  and  anger,  and  clamor,  and  evil  speaking, 
be  put  away  from  you,  Avith  all  malice: 

And  be  ye  kiud  one  to  another,  tender  hearted,  forgiving  one  another, 
as  even  God  for  Christ's  sake  hath  forgiven  you.  Ephesians  iv,  31,  3'2. 

The  Witch  is  yet  at  her  work.  She  proceeded  on  her  way,  thankful 
that  she  has  made  one  less  shrew  in  the  world. 


THE    WITCH     HYPNOTIZEK. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

On  her  way  along  she  observed  a  boy  sitting  on  the  walk  near 
some  shrubbery.  He  seemed  very  intent  on  whatever  he  was  doing. 
She  approached  nearer  and  saw  a  poor  butterfly  denuded  of  its  wings 
lying  quivering  in  his  hand,  and  he  was  looking  at  it  with  the  most 
intense  satisfaction. 

"  My  lad,  do  you  know  that — 

The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  in  every  place,  beholding  the  evil  and  the  good. 
Proverbs  xv,  3. 

Even  a  child  is  known  by  his  doings,  whether  his  work  be  pure,  and 
whether  it  be  right.  Proverbs  xx,  11. 

"Understand  that  it  is  sinful  to  torment  any  living  thing." 
The  boy  slunk  away,  realizing  for  the  first  time  that  it  was  wrong 
to  torture  anything  so  small  as  a  butterfly. 

The  disposition  to  torture  seems  to  be  inherent  with  many  boys 
and  if  allowed  to  grow  on  them  will  in  time  predominate  over  all  good 
impulses,  and  prompt  them  to  commit  the  most  terrible  crimes. 

For  the  land  is  full  of  bloody  crimes,  and  the  city  is  full  of  violence. 
Ezekiel  vii,  23. 

If  they  were  taught  to  cultivate  will  power  to  subdue  these  evil 
impulses  what  a  blessing  would  be  derived!  How  prone  to  wicked- 
ness is  all  human  nature,  and  how  much  we  need  to  pray  for  help  to 
overcome  it ! 

Watch  and  pray.    Matthew  xxvi,  41. 


14  THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZE R. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


The  Witch  noticed  a  girl  in  the  regulation  uniform  of  white  cap 
and  apron  marshalling  several  children.  How  oft  seen  in  the  want 
column:  "A  nurse  girl  who  will  wear  the  cap."  Why  was  this  head- 
gear exacted  as  a  badge  of  servitude?  Why  ape  the  Old  World 
customs?-' 

Say  unto  the  king  and  to  the  queen,  Humble  yourselves,  sit  down;  for 
your  principalities  shall  come  down,  even  the  crown  of  your  glory.  Jeremiah 
xiii,  18. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  Remove  the  diadem  and  take  off  the  crown; 
this  shall  not  be  the  same;  exalt  him  that  is  low,  and  abase  him  that  is  high. 

I  will  overturn,  overturn,  overturn  it;  and  it  shall  be  no  more  until  he 
come  whose  right  it  is;  and  I  will  give  it  him.  xxi,  26,  27. 

And  the  Lord  alone  shall  be  exalted  in  that  day.    Isaiah  ii,  11. 

Was  not  this  government  founded  on  the  principle  of  equality  ? 
Did  not  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  estimate  one  good  as  another  if  their 
righteousness  was  equal  ?  And  the  distinction  was  made  only  between 
good  and  evil  doers. 

A  nation  that  did  righteousness,  and  forsook  not  the  ordinance  of  their 
God.  Isaiah  Iviii,  2. 

And  ye  were  now  turned,  and  had  done  right  in  my  sight  in  proclaiming 
liberty  every  man  to  his  neighbor;  and  ye  had  made  a  covenant  before  me  in 
the  house  which  is  called  by  my  name: 

But  ye  turned  and  polluted  my  name,  and  caused  every  man  his  servant, 
and  every  man  his  handmaid,  whom  he  had  set  at  liberty  at  their  pleasure,  to 
return,  and  brought  them  into  subjection,  to  be  unto  you  for  servants  and  for 
handmaids.  Jeremiah  xxxiv,  16, 17. 

Then,  again,  should  it  not  be  more  essential  for  these  mothers  to 
look  more  after  the  morals  of  the  persons  who  were  to  be  companions 
for  their  children  and  to  be  less  watchful  of  Mrs.  Grundy's  edicts  ? 

For  the  customs  of  the  people  are  vain. 

They  are  altogether  brutish  and  foolish;  the  stock  is  a  doctrine  of  van- 
ities. 

They  are  vanity,  and  the  work  of  errors;  in  the  time  of  their  visitation 
they  shall  perish.  Jeremiah  x,  3,  8, 15. 


THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER.  15 

The  Witch  recalled  an  instance  where  a  distinguished  political 
leader  married  a  sewing  woman,  and  his  bride  was  ostracized  from 
society  when  it  leaked  out  that  she  had  labored  for  a  livelihood.  Had 
all  these  aristocrats  as  clean  a  record  ? 

Am  afraid  one's  hands  would  be  somewhat  soiled  by  too  close 
investigation. 

Ye  are  they  which  justify  yourselves  before  men;  but  God  knoweth  your 
hearts.  Luke  xvi,  15. 

For  there  is  nothing  covered  that  shall  not  be  revealed;  neither  hid,  that 
shall  not  be  known.  Luke  xii,  2. 

For  God  shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment  with  every  secret  thing, 
whether  it  be  good  or  whether  it  be  evil.  Ecclesiastes  xii,  14. 

The  just  Lord  is  in  the  midst  thereof;  he  will  not  do  iniquity;  every 
morning  doth  he  bring  his  judgment  to  light,  he  faileth  not.  Zephaniah 


16  THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


CHAPTER  X. 

One  day  when  passing  the  jail  our  Witch  was  moved  with  an 
impulse  to  go  inside.  The  warden  allowed  her  to  pass  in.  Her  heart 
ached  for  these  poor  wretches  whose  faces  from  behind  the  bars  looked 
so  hopeless  and  unhappy,  and  whose  blasphemous  language  chilled 
her.  She  longed  for  the  time  when  : 

Every  one  that  nameth  the  name  of  Christ  depart  from  iniquity.  II 
Timothy  ii,  19. 

Who  knew  but  these  criminals  were  as  innocent  in  the  light  of 
God's  All-Searching  Eye  as  those  who  less  tried  have  committed  less 
evil? 

For  all  have  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God.    Romans  iii,  23. 
If  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not 
in  us.    John  i,  8. 

Some  have  better  childhood  memories  of  6ood  influear  .  brought 
to  bear  on  their  susceptible  innocence,  and  would  not  Iiun.  ity,  begot 
and  reared  in  iniquity,  have  a  natural  inclination  to  evil,  .  d  conse- 
quently be  pardonable  for  greater  crimes  than  those  of  a  healthier 
nourishment  ?  And  would  not  those  stronger  ones  with  great  mental 
gifts  have  more  to  answer  for  accordingly  than  those  of  weaker 
natures  ?  Well,  it  is  beyond  any  human  comprehension  to  execute 
perfect  justice. 

Then  hear  thou  from  Heaven,  thy  dwelling  place,  and  forgive,  and  render 
unto  every  man  according  unto  alt  his  ways,  whose  heart  thou  knowest;  for 
thou  only  knowest  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men.  II  Chronicles  vi,  30. 

I,  the  Lord,  search  the  heart,  I  try  the  reins,  even  to  give  every  man 
according  to  his  ways,  and  according  to  the  fruit  of  his  doings.  Jeremiah 
xvii,  10. 

The  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true  and  righteous  altogether.  Psalms 
xix,  9. 

But  why  dost  thou  judge  thy  brother?  Or  why  doth  thou  set  at  nought 
thy  brother?  For  we  shall  all  stand  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ.  Let 
us  not  therefore  judge  one  another  any  more;  but  judge  this  rather,  that  no 
man  put  a  stumbling  block  or  an  occasion  to  fall  in  his  brother's  way. 
Romans  xiv,  10, 13. 

Thou  art  inexcusable,  O  man,  whosoever  thou  art,  that  judgest;  for 
wherein  thou  judgest  another,  thou  condemnest  thyself.  Romans  ii,  1. 

Judge  not,  and  ye  shall  not  be  judged;  condemn  not,  and  ye  shall  not  be 
condemned ;  forgive,  and  ye  shall  be  forgiven.  Luke  vi,  37. 

Therefore  judge  nothing  before  the  time  until  the  Lord  come,  who  both 
will  bring  to  light  the  hidden  things  of  darkness,  and  will  make  manifest  the 
counsels  of  the  hearts.  I  Corinthians  iv,  5. 

But  crime  will  come  to  an  end  in  that  happy  time  when  we  will 
know  each  other's  innermost  thoughts. 


THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZES.  17 

What  a  grand  and  awful  time  will  be  the  day  of  judgment,  when 
the  Spirit  quickens  the  dust  of  centuries!  Grand  for  those  who  have 
sincerely  tried  to  serve  the  King  ! 

Who  among  us  shall  dwell  with  everlasting  burnings  ?  He  that  walketh 
righteously,  and  speaketh  uprightly;  he  that  despiseth  the  gain  of  oppres- 
sions, that  shaketh  his  hands  from  holding  of  bribes,  that  stoppeth  his  ears 
from  hearing  of  blood,  and  shutteth  his  eyes  from  seeing  evil:  he  shall  dwell 
on  high;  his  place  9f  defence  shall  be  the  munitions  of  rocks;  bread  shall  be 
sure.  Isaiah  xxxiii,  14, 15, 16. 

Blessed  are  they  that  keep  his  testimonies,  and  that  seek  him  with  the 
whole  heart.  Psalms  cxix,  2. 

They  that  feared  the  Lord  spake  often  one  to  another;  and  the  Lord 
hearkened  and  heard  it,  and  a  book  of  remembrance  was  written  before  him 
for  them  that  feared  the  Lord,  and  that  thought  upon  his  name. 

And  they  shall  be  mine,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  in  that  day  when  I  make 
up  my  jewels;  and  I  will  spare  them  as  a  man  spareth  his  own  son  that 
serveth  him.  Malachi  iii,  16, 17. 

Awful  for  the  hypocrites  when  God's  magnetic  eyes  burn  into  their 
souls.  In  this  way  the  world  of  sin  will  be  dissolved,  but  space,  in 
which  we  move  and  have  our  being,  will  never  be  destroyed. 

One  generation  passet'  away  and  another  generation  cometh;  but  the 
earth  abu  ';h  forever.  Eo^esiastes  i,  4. 

For  thf  "-"tlth1  the  Lord  said:  The  whole  land  shall  be  desolate,  yet  will  I 
not  make  fcftoil  end.  Jeremiah  iv,  27. 

Lift  i^,  ,  our  eyes  to  the  heavens,  and  look  upon  the  earth  beneath;  for 
the  heaveus  shall  vanish  away  like  smoke,  and  the  earth  shall  wax  old  like 
a  garment,  and  they  that  dwell  therein  shall  die  in  like  manner;  but  my 
salvation  shall  be  forever,  and  my  righteousness  shall  not  be  abolished. 
Isaiah  li,  6. 

Who  may  abide  the  day  of  his  coming?  And  who  shall  stand  when  he 
appeareth  ?  For  he  is  like  a  refiner's  fire.  Malachi  iii,  2. 

Every  man's  work  shall  be  made  manifest;  for  the  day  shall  declare  it, 
because  it  shall  be  revealed  by  fire;  and  the  fire  shall  try  every  man's  work  of 
what  sort  it  is.  I  Corinthians  iii,  13. 

For  our  God  is  a  consuming  fire.    Hebrews  xii,  29. 

The  earth  and  all  the  inhabitants  thereof  are  dissolved;  I  bear  up  the 
pillars  of  it,  Psalms  Ixxv,  3. 

All  the  earth  shall  be  devoured  with  the  fire  of  my  jealousy.  Zephaniah 
ill)  8. 

Their  flesh  shall  consume  away  while  they  stand  upon  their  feet,  and 
their  eyes  shall  consume  away  in  their  holes,  and  their  tongue  shall  consume 
away  in  their  mouth.  Zechariah  xiv,  12. 

As  wax  melteth  before  the  fire  so  let  the  wicked  perish  at  the  presence  of 
God.  Psalms  Ixviii,  2. 

Therefore  the  *  .habitants  of  the  earth  are  burned  and  few  men  left. 
Isaiah  xxiv,  6. 

All  the  hosts  of  heaven  shall  be  dissolved,  and  the  heavens  shall  be  rolled 
together  as  a  scroll.  Isaiah  xxxiv,  4. 

Woe  unto  you,  scribes  and  pharisees,  hypocrites!  for  ye  devour  widow's 
houses,  and  for  a  pretense  make  long  prayers.  Therefore  ye  shall  receive 
the  greater  damnation.  Matthew  xxiii,  14. 

For  the  congregation  of  hypocrites  shall  be  desolate,  and  fire  shall  con- 
sume the  tabernacles  of  bribery.  Job  xv,  34. 

I  will  bring  you  into  the  wilderness  of  the  people,  and  there  will  I  plead 
with  you  face  to  face. 

And  there  shall  ye  remember  your  ways,  and  all  your  doings,  wherein  ye 
have  been  defiled;  and  ye  shall  loathe  yourselves  in  your  own  sight  for  all 
your  evils  that  ye  have  committed.  Ezekiel  xx,  35, 43. 


18  THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

The  Witch  was  not  a  regular  attendant  at  any  house  of  worship  of 
any  set  creed,  but  preferred  ones  of  lesser  grandeur,  feeling  that  she 
met  with  more  sincerity  within.  But  one  Sabbath  morning  her  steps 
led  to  one  of  the  largest  and  most  fashionable  churches  in  the  city. 
The  ushers  were  busy  seating  the  well-dressed  throng.  She  slipped 
along  and  took  a  seat  by  the  side  of  a  sumptuously  dressed  lady  who 
shifted  and  spread  her  drapery  a  little  more  as  a  hint  to  the  intruder 
that  her  presence  was  undesirable. 

Many  haughty  glances  of  derision  were  shot  at  the  poorly  clad 
stranger  who  had  presumed  to  come  in  their  midst.  She  looked  about 
her  on  the  throng. 

All  is  vanity.    Ecclesiastes  i,  2. 

Richly  attired  matrons,  conscious  only  of  their  extreme  style  ;  fair 
young  girls,  not  a  whit  less  extravagantly  garbed  than  their  elders, 
with  cramped  waists  and  all  the  accoutrements  belonging  to  devotees 
of  fashion. 

A  pity  that  such  fair  flowers  like  the  rose  could  not  remain  longer 
in  bud,  for  both  fall  into  decay  all  too  quickly  after  maturity.  But 
Dame  Fashion  seems  in  a  hurry  and  holds  to  artificial  development. 

Make  not  my  Father's  house  a  house  of  merchandise.    John  ii,  16. 

What  more  was  this  great  display  of  finery  than  one  way  of 
advertising  goods  ? 

Bring  no  more  vain  oblations;  incense  is  an  abomination  unto  me;  the 
new  moons  and  Sabbaths,  the  calling  of  assemblies,  I  cannot  away  with;  it  is 
iniquity,  even  the  solemn  meeting. 

Wash  you,  make  you  clean;  put  away  the  evil  of  your  doings  from  before 
mine  eyes;  cease  to  do  evil. 

Learn  to  do  well;  seek  judgment,  relieve  the  oppressed,  judge  the  father- 
less, plead  for  the  widow. 

Come  now,  and  let  us  reason  together,  saith  the  Lord:  though  your  sins 
be  as  scarlet  they  shall  be  as  white  as  snow;  though  they  be  red  like  crimson, 
they  shall  be  as  wool. 

If  ye  be  willing  and  obedient,  ye  shall  eat  the  good  of  the  land. 

But  if  ye  refuse  and  rebel,  ye  shall  be  devoured.  Isaiah  i,  13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 
20. 

Their  land  also  is  full  of  idols;  they  worship  the  works  of  their  own 
hands  that  which  their  own  fingers  have  made.  Isaiah  ii,  8. 


THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER.  19 

The  daughters  of  Zion  are  haughty,  and  walk  with  stretched  forth  necks 
and  wanton  eyes,  walking  and  mincing  as  they  go,  and  making  a  tinkling 
with  their  feet. 

In  that  day  the  Lord  will  take  away  the  bravery  of  their  tinkling  orna- 
ments about  their  feet,  and  their  cauls,  and  their  round  tires  like  the  moon. 

The  chains,  and  the  bracelets,  and  the  mufflers. 

The  bonnets,  the  headbands,  and  the  earrings. 

The  rings. 

The  changeable  suits  of  apparel,  and  the  mantels,  and  the  wimples,  and 
the  crisping  pins. 

The  glasses,  and  the  fine  linen,  and  the  hoods,  and  the  vails.  Isaiah  iii, 
16,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23. 

That  women  adorn  themselves  in  modest  apparel,  with  shamefacedness 
and  sobriety;  not  with  broidered  hair,  or  gold,  or  pearls,  or  costly  array; 

But  (which  becometh  women  professing  godliness)  with  good  works.  I 
Timothy  ii,  9, 10. 

The  eloquent  and  eminent  divine  preached  a  flowery  discourse  with 
no  reproof  pointing  to  the  vanity  and  frivolity  of  the  hour. 

They  are  shepherds  that  cannot  understand;  they  all  look  to  their  own 
way,  every  one  for  his  gain,  from  his  quarter.  Isaiah  Ivi,  11. 

Many  pastors  have  destroyed  my  vineyard;  they  have  trodden  my  portion 
under  foot.  Jeremiah  xii,  10. 

The  pastors  are  become  brutish,  and  have  not  sought  the  Lord.  Jeremiah 
x,  21. 

Woe  unto  you,  ye  blind  guides.    Matthew  xxiii,  16. 

Whose  mouths  must  be  stopped,  who  subvert  whole  houses,  teaching 
things  which  they  ought  not,  for  filthy  lucre's  sake.  Titus  i,  11. 

Ye  are  departed  out  of  the  way;  ye  have  caused  many  to  stumble  at  the 
law.  Malachiii,8. 

Preach  the  word;  be  instant  in  season,  out  of  season;  reprove,  rebuke, 
extort  with  all  long  suffering  and  doctrine. 

For  the  time  will  come  when  they  will  not  endure  sound  doctrine;  but 
after  their  own  lusts  shall  they  heap  to  themselves  teachers  having  itching 
ears; 

And  they  shall  turn  away  their  ears  from  the  truth,  and  shall  be  turned 
into  fables. 

But  watch  thou  in  all  things,  endure  afflictions,  do  the  work  of  an  evan- 
gelist, make  full  proof  of  thy  ministry.  II  Timothy  iv,  2,  3,  4,  5. 

The  great  organ  reverberated  through  the  building.  The  choir 
sang  of  God's  love  to  all  creatures  alike.  Two  women  sat  side  by 
side,  and  the  one  of  loftier  mien  bowed  her  head,  and  for  the  first 
time  in  her  life  felt  the  love  of  God  in  her  heart ;  and  the  Witch  went 
out  from  church  happy,  knowing  that  through  her  influence  one 
soul  was  redeemed  this  Sabbath  morning. 


20  THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Marching  along  the  road  came  the  Salvation  Army.  A  crowd  of 
juveniles  bent  on  hilarity  followed  in  line,  mimicking  and  ridiculing 
them.  The  crowd  on  the  sidewalk  jeered,  and  a  high  dignitary  in 
church  affairs  joined  his  voice  with  the  rest,  remarking  that  this 
rabble  never  ought  to  be  allowed  to  parade  the  streets  Sunday. 
Who  knows  how  many  degraded  lives  have  been  elevated  by  this 
much  ridiculed  religious  body  who  do  good  work  in  the  slums  whore 
religion  is  most  needful,  and  in  so  doing  follow  more  closely  in  the 
footsteps  of  the  Christ  than  those  who  spend  their  energy  in  striving 
among  themselves  for  precedence  in  the  public  schools  and  every- 
where ? 

Why  all  this  contention  ?  Should  not  real  Christian  worshippers 
work  in  harmony  ? 

Have  we  not  all  one  Father?  Hath  not  one  God  created  us  ?  Malachi  ii,  10. 

And  there  was  also  a  strife  among  them  which  of  them,  should  be 
accounted  the  greatest. 

But  ye  shall  not  be  so;  but  he  that  is  greatest  among  you,  let  him  be  as 
the  younger;  and  he  that  is  chief,  as  he  that  doth  serve.  Liike  xxii,  2-1,  J<>. 

Do  nil  things  without  murmurings  and  disputings.    Philippians  ii,  14. 

Shun  profane  and  vain  babblings.    II  Timothy  ii,  16. 

Be  at  peace  among  yourselves.    I  Thessalonians  v,  13. 

Seek  peace  and  pursue  it.    Psalms  xxxiv,  14. 

Let  nothing  be  done  through  strife  or  vain  glory.    Philippians  ii,  3. 

Now  the  end  of  the  commandment  is  charity  out  of  a  pure  heart,  and  of 
a  good  conscience,  and  of  faith  unfeigned. 

From  which  some  having  swerved  have  turned  aside  into  vain  jangling. 
I  Timothy  i,  5, 6. 

Examine  yourselves  whether  ye  be  in  the  faith;  prove  your  own  selves. 

Be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace.    II  Corinthians  xiii,  5, 11. 

Avoid  foolish  questions,  and  genealogies,  and  contentions,  and  strivings 
about  the  law;  for  they  are  unprofitable  and  vain.  Titus  iii,  9. 

For  where  envying  and  strife  is,  there  is  confusion  and  every  evil  work. 
James  iii,  16. 

Now  I  beseech  you  brethren  by  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  ye 
all  speak  the  same  thing,  and  that  there  be  no  division  among  you;  but  that 
ye  be  perfectly  joined  together  in  the  same  mind  and  in  the  same  judgment. 
I  Corinthians  i,  10. 

I  will  therefore  that  men  pray  everywhere,  lifting  up  holy  hands,  without 
wrath  and  doubting.  I  Timothy  ii,  8. 

Behold,  ye  fast  for  strife  and  debate. 


THE    WITCH    HYPXOTIZER.  21 

Is  not  this  the  fast  that  I  have  chosen  ?  to  loose  the  bands  of  wickedness, 
to  undo  the  heavy  burdens,  and  to  let  the  oppressed  go  free,  and  that  ye  brake 
every  yoke  ? 

Is  it  not  to  deal  thy  bread  to  the  hungry,  and  that  thou  bring  the  poor 
that  are  cast  out  to  thy  house  ? 

When  thou  seest  the  naked  that  thou  cover  him;  and  that  thou  hide  not 
thyself  from  thine  own  flesh  ? 

Then  shall  thy  light  break  forth  as  the  morning;  and  thy  righteousness 
shall  go  before  thee;  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  thy  reward. 

Then  shalt  thou  call,  and  the  Lord  shall  answer;  thou  shalt  cry,  and  he 
shall  say:  Here  I  am.  If  thou  take  away  from  the  midst  of  thee  the  yoke,  the 
putting  forth  of  the  finger,  and  speaking  vanity; 

And  if  thou  draw  out  thy  soul  to  the  hungry  and  satisfy  the  afflicted  soul; 
then  shall  thv  light  rise  in  obscurity,  and  thy  darkness  be  tts  noonday; 

And  the  Lord  shall  guide  thee  continually.    Isaiah  Iviii,  4,  6,  7,  8,  9, 10, 11. 

Let  us  hear  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  matter:  Fear  God  and  keep  his 
commandments,  for  this  is  the  whole  duty  of  man.  Ecclesiastes  xii,  13. 

He  hath  showed  thee,  O  Man,  what  is  good;  and  what  doth  the  Lord 
require  of  thee  but  to  do  justly,  and  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with 
thy  God?  Micahvi,  8. 


OF  THH 


22  THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZEE. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  Witch  resumed  work  Monday  morning.  There  was  more  stir 
in  the  streets  than  usual.  On  every  corner  were  groups  of  excited 
men.  Nothing  but  whisky  and  election  would  cause  so  much  commo- 
tion. 

The  carriages  of  the  different  candidates  were  out  scouring  the 
town  for  voters. 

Some  of  these  aspirants  for  office  had  almost  impoverished  them- 
selves by  daily  treating  the  crowd  of  loafers  who  are  always  ready  to 
trade  their  votes  for  whisky. 

They  go  about  electioneering  for  themselves.  Bosh!  if  a  man 
has  the  elements  of  greatness  he  will  find  his  place  without  all  this 
self-praise. 

For  men  to  search  their  own  glory  is  not  glory.    Proverbs  xxv,  27. 
For  if  a  man  think  himself  to  be  something,  when  he  is  nothing,  he 
deceiveth  himself.    Galatians  vi,  3. 

Election  day  and  no  mistaking  it;  the  saloons  are  supposed  to  be 
closed,  but  there  is  a  back  door  to  some  of  them. 

It  is  not  for  kings  to  drink  wine;  nor  for  princes  strong  drink:  Lest  they 
drink  and  forget  the  law  and  pervert  the  judgment  of  any  of  the  afflicted. 
Proverbs  xxxi.  4,  5. 

Is  it  any  wonder  that  the  women  of  our  land  clamor  for  a  voice 
in  the  affairs  of  state  and  nation? 

But  a  woman's  place  is  not  at  the  polls.  She  can  do  more  good  at 
home  in  training  the  minds  of  her  sons,  the  future  voters,  and  in 
making  her  husband's  home-coming  pleasant,  that  he  may  prefer  it  to 
haunts  of  vice.  And  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  man  through  debauchery 
will  not  become  altogether  inefficient  and  make  it  necessary  for  woman 
to  take  the  lead. 

But  I  suffer  not  a  woman  to  teach  nor  to  usurp  authority  over  the  man, 
but  to  be  in  silence.  I  Timothy  ii,  12. 


THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER.  23 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

In  the  evening  at  that  most  entrancing  hour  between  daylight  and 
dark,  when  all  creation  seems  in  a  dreamy  mood,  the  Witch  found 
herself  at  the  entrance  of  a  gilded  palace  of  sin.  A  number  of  the 
inmates  were  flitting  about  the  flower-laden,  well-kept  grounds.  She 
approached  one  of  exquisite  beauty  of  person  whose  face  was  not  yet 
passion-scarred. 

She  was  dressed  in  some  soft,  flowing,  white  material  which  gave 
her  more  of  a  seraphic  appearance  than  one  of  sensualism.  The 
Witch  asked  what  brought  her  to  this  stage  of  immorality.  The 
woman's  reply  was  that  she  had  been  reared  in  wealth,  but  her 
father  through  some  unlucky  speculation  lost  everything.  She  had 
never  learned  to  work,  but  had  been  taught  that  any  labor  was  most 
degrading,  and  she  had  not  qualified  herself  to  teach  any  branch  of 
learning,  never  having  made  allowance  for  the  swift  wings  of  vanishing 
wealth. 

When  thrown  on  her  own  resources  she  was  at  a  loss  to  know 
what  to  do,  when  a  wealthy  gentleman  friend  came  to  her  assistance 
at  the  sacrifice  of  her  honor. 

He  soon  tired  of  her,  however;  her  father  had  died  broken-hearted, 
and  her  mother  was  staying  with  a  distant  relative  who  had  kindly 
offered  her  a  home. 

The  Witch  persuaded  her  to  leave  this  life  of  disgrace,  to  learn 
honest  work  and  brighten  her  mother's  remaining  years. 

Study  to  show  thyself  approved  unto  God,  a  workman  that  needeth  not 
to  be  ashamed.  II  Timothy  ii,  15. 

She  said  that  it  would  be  hard  for  her  to  face  the  world  with  this 
stigma  of  shame  on  her  character;  that  all  those  bearing  any  claim  to 
respectability  would  scorn  her. 

The  Witch  told  her  that  God  was  judge  and  not  the  people,  and 
their  lives  were  not  altogether  blameless. 

God  is  the  judge.    Psalms  Ixxv,  7. 

He  that  is  without  sin  among  you,  let  him  first  cast  a  stone  at  her.  John 
viii,  7. 


24  THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 

The  woman  was  undecided,  but  the  better  mind  prevailed  and  she 
accompanied  the  Witch  home,  and  the  next  day  found  respectable 
employment. 

And  still  the  good  work  goes  on. 

Reader,  I  am  only  narrating  a  small  portion  of  this  woman's  work 
which  she  found  as  the  days  went  by  to  be  illimitable.  Vice  versa. 
If  one  possessing  this  mysterious  power  was  inclined  to  evil  rather 
than  good,  what  a  great  amount  of  wickedness  might  be  accomplished 
through  it.  God  only  knows  how  much  of  the  good  and  evil  that  has 
been  done  in  the  world  may  be  attributed  to  this  hidden  force. 

Was  the  famed  enchantress  of  the  Nile  gifted  with  this  secret  to  a 
very  great  extent,  and  many  other  characters  of  history  celebrated  in 
their  day  for  the  influence  they  exercised  ? 


THE    WITCH    HYPNOTJZER.  25 


CHAPTER  XV. 


The  Witch  heard  of  a  murder  trial  that  was  going  on  in  court  and 
arousing  intense  interest,  owing  to  the  high  social  standing  of  all  the 

Earties  concerned.     She  acted  on  impulse  to  a  certain   extent  and, 
javing  her  birds  at  home,  started  at  once  for  the  court-house. 

On  her  way  there  she  turned  her  attention  to  a  case  of  street 
pugilism.  A  crowd  of  boys,  ranging  in  age  from  seven  to  twenty, 
had  congregated.  Two  small  urchins  were  fighting;  their  faces  were 
scratched  and  bleeding,  and  the  crowd  was  urging  them  on  to  do  each 
other  more  injury. 

These  young  ruffians  made  a  study  of  wickedness  which  is  more 
than  mischief,  and  this  element  is  on  an  increase  the  world  over. 

Yea  also  the  heart  of  the  sons  of  men  is  full  of  evil.    Ecclesiastes  ix,  3. 

No  wonder  when  they  have  for  examples  men  in  high  places  who 
take  such  interest  in  prize  fighting. 

It  would  be  more  in  keeping  with  their  positions  if  their  minds 
could  aspire  to  something  more  elevating.  They  are  ready  enough  to 
censure  the  Spaniards  for  their  bull  fights,  but  are  themselves  not  far 
in  advance  when  they  will  encourage  this  barbarous  sport  which 
seems  to  be  gaining  popularity. 

The  wicked  walk  on  every  side  when  the  vilest  men  are  exalted.  Psalms 
xii,8. 

For  the  leaders  of  this  people  cause  them  to  err;  and  they  that  are  led  of 
them  are  destroyed.  Isaiah  ix,  16. 

These  are  the  men  that  devise  mischief  and  give  wicked  counsel  in  this 
city.  Ezekielxi,2. 

If  they  would  exercise  the  spiritual  nature  more  and  the  animal 
less  they  could  take  no  pleasure  in  such  brutish  doing. 

For  the  flesh  lusteth  against  the  Spirit,  and  the  Spirit  against  the  flesh; 
and  these  are  contrary  the  one  to  the  other.  Galatians  v,  17. 

Even  the  Press  takes  a  hand  in  it,  and  devotes  whole  columns  of 
the  papers  to  explaining  in  minutest  detail  the  movements  of  the 
combatants. 

Our  Witch  was  wrapped  in  thought,  but  did  not  forget  her 
work,  and  in  a  few  moments  after  she  appeared  among  them  the 
shamefaced  crowd  dispersed. 


26  THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

When  the  chief  witness  against  the  accused  was  called  to  give  his 
testimony  there  was  one  among  the  throng  of  spectators  whose  eyes 
never  left  his  face. 

He  started  in  a  resolute  manner,  then  wavered  a  little,  and  finally 
broke  down  in  the  midst  of  it  and  confessed  his  own  guilt.  He  was 
the  murderer. 

Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy  neighbor.    Exodus  xx,  16. 

Confess  your  faults  one  to  another,  and  pray  one  for  another.    James  v,  16. 

He  that  covereth  his  sins  shall  not  prosper;  but  whoso  coufesseth  and 
forsaketh  them  shall  have  mercy.  Proverbs  xxviii,  13. 

If  we  confess  our  sins  he  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to 
cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness.  John  i,  9. 

There  was  a  hush  like  the  hush  of  death  in  the  courtroom  while  he 
was  speaking.  When  the  crowd  passed  out,  a  plainly  garbed  figure 
went  out  also  unobserved.  The  Witch  had  done  her  work  for  the 
day. 


THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER.  27 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


She  looked  on  the  cars  gliding  over  the  electric  road.  What  of 
this  occult  power  ?  And  what  of  her  own  ?  Eventually  would  elec- 
tricity impel  the  entire  universe  ? 

Had  this  always  existed  and  was  yet  to  be  brought  out  by  master- 
ful minds  ?  Was  this  the  connecting  link  between  God  and  man  ? 
Then  it  was  wisely  said  in  ages  past  : 

How  long,  ye  simple  ones,  will  ye  love  simplicity  ?    Proverbs  i,  22. 

The  Lord  possessed  me  in  the  beginning  of  his  way  before  his  works  of 
old. 

When  he  prepared  the  heavens  I  was  there;  when  he  set  a  compass  upon 
the  face  of  the  depth.  Proverbs  vii,  22,  27. 

He  raleth  by  his  power  forever.    Psalms  Ixvi,  7. 

In  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  everlasting  strength.    Isaiah  xxvi,  4. 

Take  hold  of  my  strength.    Isaiah  xxvii,  5. 

Have  ye  not  known  ?  have  ye  not  heard  ?  hath  it  not  been  told  you  from 
the  beginning?  have  ye  not  understood  from  the  foundation  of  the  earth  ? 
Isaiah  xl,  21,  22. 

For  my  people  is  foolish  ;  they  have  not  known  me;  they  are  sottish  chil- 
dren, and  they  have  none  understanding;  they  are  wise  to  do  evil,  but  to  do 
good  they  have  no  knowledge.  Jeremiah  iv,  22. 

Understand,  ye  brutish  among  the  people,  and  ye  fools,  when  will  ye  be 
wise  ?  Psalms  xciv,  8. 

O  ye  simple,  understand  wisdom;  and  ye  fools,  be  ye  of  an  understanding 
heart.  Proverbs  viii,  5. 

Yea,  if  thou  criest  after  knowledge,  and  liftest  up  thy  voice  for  under- 
standing; 

If  thou  seekest  her  as  silver,  and  searchest  for  her  as  for  hid  treasures; 

Then  shalt  thou  understand  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  find  the  knowledge 
of  God.  Proverbs  ii.  3,  4,  5. 

He  hath  made  the  earth  by  his  power,  he  hath  established  the  world  by 
his  wisdom,  and  hath  stretched  out  the  heavens  by  his  discretion. 

When  he  uttereth  his  voice,  there  is  a  multitude  of  waters  in  the  heavens, 
and  he  causeth  the  vapors  to  ascend  from  the  ends  of  the  earth;  he  maketh 
lightnings  with  rain,  and  bringeth  forth  the  wind  out  of  his  treasures.  Jere- 
miah x,  12, 13. 

The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God;  and  the  firmament  sheweth  his 
handiwork. 

Day  unto  day  uttereth  speech,  and  night  unto  night  sheweth  knowledge. 

There  is  no  speech  nor  language  where  their  voice  is  not  heard. 

Their  line  is  gone  out  through  all  the  earth,  and  their  words  to  the  end  of 
the  world.  In  them  hath  he  set  a  tabernacle  for  the  sun, 

Which  is  as  a  bridegroom  coming  out  of  his  chamber,  and  rejoiceth  as  a 
strong  man  to  run  a  race. 


28  THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 

His  going  forth  is  from  the  ends  of  the  heaven,  and  his  circuit  unto  the 
ends  of  it,  and  there  is  nothing  hid  from  the  heat  thereof.  Psalins  xix  1  2 
3,  4,  5,  6. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  upon  the  waters;  the  God  of  glory  thundereth, 
the  Lord,  is  upon  many  waters. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  powerful,    xxix,  3,  4. 

The  thunder  of  his  power  who  can  understand  ?    Job  xxvi,  14. 

With  thee  is  the  fountain  of  life;  in  thy  light  shall  we  see  light.  Psalms 
xxxvi,  9. 

The  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  as 
the  waters  cover  the  sea.  Habakkuk  ii,  14. 

Who  is  wise,  and  will  observe  these  things,  even  they  shall  understand. 
Psalms  cvii,  43. 

At  the  resurrection,  when  the  Lamb  of  God  will  rule  the  world  as 
the  center  of  gravitation  like  the  sun,  who  among  us  can  study  mis- 
chief in  secret  when  mind  meets  mind  in  one  common  thoroughfare  of 
thought  which  cannot  be  divided  by  land  or  sea  ? 

As  the  lightning  cometh  out  of  the  east,  and  shineth  even  unto  the  west; 
so  shall  also  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  be.  Matthew  xxiv,  27. 

And  the  city  hath  no  creed  of  the  sun,  neither  of  the  moon,  to  shine  in  it; 
for  the  glory  of  God  did  lighten  it,  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light  thereof.  Revela- 
tion xxi,  23. 

The  sun  shall  be  no  more  thy  light  by  day;  neither  for  brightness  shall 
the  moon  give  light  unto  thee;  but  the  Lord  shall  be  unto  thee  an  everlasting 
light,  and  thy  God  thy  glory. 

Thy  sun  shall  no  more  go  down;  neither  shall  thy  moon  withdraw  itself; 
for  the  Lord  shall  be  thine  everlasting  light.  Isaiah  Ix,  19,  20. 

There  shall  be  a  resurrection  of  the  dead,  both  of  the  just  and  unjust. 
Acts  xxiv,  15. 

As  the  Father  raiseth  up  the  dead  and  quickeneth  them,  even  so  the  Sou 
quickeneth  whom  he  will.  John  v,  21. 

Ye  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord,  when  I  have  opened  your  graves,  O  my 
people,  and  brought  you  up  out  of  your  graves. 

And  shall  put  my  spirit  in  you,  aud  ye  shall  live.    Ezekiel  xxxvii,  13, 14. 

The  dead  men  shall  live  together;  with  my  dead  body  shall  they  arise. 

Awake  and  sing,  ye  that  dwell  in  dust;  for  thy  dew  is  as  the  dew  of  herbs, 
and  the  earth  shall  cast  out  the  dead.  Isaiah  xxvi,  19. 


THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


29 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

One  morning  when  near  a  handsome  residence  the  Witch  stopped 
at  the  sound  of  a  musical  instrument.  The  music  ceased  and  a  lady 
of  forty  or  thereabout  answered  her  ring. 

She  was  surrounded  with  every  luxury,  but  our  Witch  soon  learned 
that  here,  too,  was  trouble.  Yes,  another  mismated  couple. 

The  lady  said  that  her  husband  and  herself  had  never  lived  very 
happily  together  after  the  first  few  months  of  married  life;  and 
recently  another  woman  had  come  between  them,  and  her  husband, 
desirous  of  a  separation,  was  about  to  commence  proceedings  for  a 
divorce  from  her.  As  for  herself  it  mattered  little,  but  for  the  sake  of 
her  children  she  had  rather  it  would  not  be. 

Presently  the  husband  came.  He  was  a  fine-looking  man  of  pleas- 
ing address  and  unless  appearance  was  deceiving  he  would  do  very 
well  if  started  on  the  right  track. 

Here  was  more  work  for  the  ever  busy  brain. 

Lo,  this  only  have  I  found,  that  God  hath  made  man  upright;  but  they 
have  sought  out  many  inventions.  Ecclesiastes  vii,  29. 

Yet  I  had  planted  thee  a  noble  vine,  wholly  a  right  seed;  how  then  art 
thou  turned  into  the  degenerate  plant  of  a  strange  vine  unto  me  ?  Jeremiah 
ii,  21. 

He  sat  down  facing  the  Witch,  and  after  a  little  time  was  con- 
scious of  a  new  train  of  thoughts.  His  better  spirit  moved.  Would 
it  not  be  as  well  to  live  the  remainder  of  his  life  with  the  mother  of 
his  children  whom  he  dearly  loved  ? 

What  therefore  God  hath  joined  together  let  not  man  put  asunder. 
Matthew  xix,  6. 

Contract  marriage  is  most  suitable  for  the  present  age.  That 
leaves  the  contracting  parties  on  a  grade  with  the  cattle  and  admits  of 
their  changing  companions  whenever  and  as  often  as  they  like  without 
breaking  God's  holy  vows. 

And  this  have  ye  done  again,  covering  the  altar  of  the  Lord  with  tears, 
with  weeping,  and  with  crying  out,  insomuch  that  he  regardeth  not  the 
offering  any  more,  or  receive  it  with  good  will  at  your  hand. 


30  THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 

Because  the  Lord  hath  been  witness  between  thee  and  the  wife  of  thy 
youth,  against  whom  thou  hast  dealt  treacherously;  yet  is  she  thy  companion 
and  the  wife  of  thy  covenant. 

And  did  not  he  make  one?    yet  had  he  the  residue  of  the  spirit. 

Therefore  take  heed  to  your  spirit,  and  let  none  deal  treacherously  against 
the  wife  of  his  youth. 

For  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Israel,  saith  that  he  hateth  putting  away. 
Malachi  ii,  13, 14, 15, 16. 

If  a  man  put  away  his  wife  and  she  go  from  him,  and  become  another 
man's,  shall  not  that  land  be  greatly  polluted  ?  Jeremiah  iii,  1. 

When  a  marriage  is  solemnized  by  the  word  of  God,  then  no  law 
on  earth  is  justifiable  for  breaking  it;  and  when  a  couple  truly  love 
each  other  what  but  death  can  separate  them?  For  misfortune  of  any 
kind  only  binds  the  tie  of  sympathy  more  closely. 

If  this  tie  was  not  so  easily  broken  more  persons  would  consider 
whom  they  were  marrying  and  what  they  were  marrying  for,  and  if  less 
deception  was  practiced  beforehand,  there  would  be  fewer  marriages 
which  prove  such  dismal  failures. 

The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked;  who  can 
know  it  ?  Jeremiah  xvii,  9. 

We  will  be  done  with  all  this  in  the  resurrection. 

In  the  resurrection  they  neither  marry,  nor  are  given  in  marriage,  but  are 
as  the  angels  of  God  in  heaveu.  Matthew  xxii,  30. 

When  the  Witch  left  this  pair  she  was  happy  in  the  thought  that 
they  would  live  together  on  better  terms,  and  be  like  a  re-united 
family. 


THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZES. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


Later  in  the  day  our  Witch  was  in  another  part  of  the  city;  while 
walking  through  an  alley,  she  saw  a  Chinaman  carrying  a  large  basket 
full  of  clean  clothes  that  he  was  returning  to  the  owners.  The  Witch 
also  noticed  several  half -grown  boys  and  heard  one  of  them  remark; 

"  Say  we  take  a  shot  at  that  heathen." 

So  with  one  accord  they  commenced  pelting  him  with  everything 
available.  Their  victim  tried  to  defend  himself  to  the  best  of  his 
ability,  but  the  half  dozen  boys  pounced  on  him,  and  in  the  fracas  the 
clothes  were  upset  into  the  street. 

It  was  hard  to  tell  how  far  they  would  carry  their  vicious  work, 
which  they  considered  a  capital  joke,  when  some  one  appeared  among 
them  who  was  also  at  work.  Very  soon  they  all  left  off,  not  knowing 
why.  The  Witch  stood  near  while  he  gathered  up  the  clothes,  which 
necessarily  must  be  washed  over  again. 

Then  she  tried  to  solve  in  her  mind  this  Chinese  problem: 

These  Mongolians  are  in  a  measure  obnoxious,  but  as  a  rule  are 
peaceable  and  industrious,  which  is  more  than  can  be  said  of  many 
other  people. 

They  have  few  opportunities  for  making  a  living  in  their  own  over- 
populous  country,  but  perhaps  when  they  have  become  more  thor- 
oughly Christianized,  the  race  will  be  less  prolific,  which  would  be 
beneficial  to  their  own  nation  and  others. 

Say  among  the  heathen  that  the  Lord  reigneth.    Psalms  xcvi,  10. 

For  the  more  a  man  leans  to  divinity  the  less  he  cleaves  to  his 
animal  nature;  and  what  is  true  of  the  Chinese  applies  to  other 
densely  populated  countries. 

For  they  that  are  after  the  flesh  do  mind  the  things  of  the  flesh;  but  they 
that  are  after  the  Spirit,  the  things  of  the  Spirit.  Romans  viii,  5. 

Let  not  sin  therefore  reign  in  your  mortal  body,  that  ye  should  obey  it  in 
the  lusts  thereof .  Romans  vi,  12. 

For  all  that  is  in  the  world,  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  and  the  lust  of  the  eyes, 
and  the  pride  of  life,  is  not  of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world. 

And  the  world  passeth  away,  and  the  lust  thereof;  but  he  that  doeth  the 
will  of  God  abideth  forever.  John  ii,  16, 17. 


32  THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 

Her  mind  reverted  to  an  incident  which  she  witnessed  in  a  cem- 
etery. It  was  the  Sabbath  and  she  was  walking  about  in  there  as 
she  often  did  on  this  day,  for  what  more  forcible  sermon  can  be  deliv- 
ered than  a  thinking  mind  can  feel  while  moving  about  among  the 
dead? 

After  a  time  she  was  conscious  of  a  disturbance  of  some  kind  going 
on  at  one  corner  of  the  enclosure.  A  promiscuous  crowd  had  gathered 
and  ere  long  there  came  a  Chinese  funeral  train  and  stopped  at  the 
open  grave. 

Then  the  crowd  mocked  them,  and  by  this  time  it  was  evident 
that  they  had  gathered  there  to  have  sport  at  the  expense  of  the 
mourners. 

The  children  were  cutting  up  all  manner  of  antics,  and  the  parents 
stood  by  highly  amused  at  the  proceedings.  It  was  almost  impossible 
to  conduct  the  burial  rites  on  account  of  the  confusion  made  by  the 
mob. 

To  be  sure  it  was  a  peculiar  ceremony,  but  some  respect  ought  to 
have  been  due  the  feelings  of  these  sorrowing  ones  at  such  a  time. 
These  children  were  wholly  undisciplined  in  the  matter  of  right  and 
wrong;  their  behavior  was  like  so  many  young  savages. 

What  were  their  parents  teaching  them  ?  To  selfishly  enjoy  the 
discomfort  of  others,  and  this  was  all,  never  trying  to  encourage  the 
finer  and  better  feelings  in  their  natures. 

Our  Witch  did  not  wait  till  the  ceremony  was  over.  Thoroughly 
disgusted  with  human  nature,  she  left  the  cemetery. 


THfi    WITCH    HYPNOTIZEE.  33 


CHAPTER  XX. 

She  thought  still  less  of  it  that  night  when  awakened  from  sleep  by 
a  gang  of  boisterous  picnickers  who,  full  of  liquor,  were  returning 
home  from  a  day  of  revelry.  Women's  and  men's  voices  mingled 
together  in  singing  vile  songs. 

How  wholly  depraved  are  some  natures,  and  how  necessary  that 
these  lewd  minds  should  be  purified  by  a  closer  communion  with  more 
spiritual  intellects  ! 

When  there  are  seven  days  in  a  week  and  our  King  only  exacts 
from  us  the  Sabbath  it  does  seem  as  if  He  is  entitled  to  that,  but 
where  people  are  confined  to  employment  every  day  in  the  week  but 
one,  it  is  hardly  probable  that  the  kind  Father  would  object  to  their 
having  an  outing  on  their  one  day  of  liberty  out  of  a  week  of  unremit- 
ting toil,  if  they  would  conduct  themselves  properly. 

Not  in  rioting  acd  drunkenness;  not  in  chambering  and  wantonness. 
But  put  ye  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  make  not  provision  for  the  flesh  to 
fulfill  the  lusts  thereof.  Romans  xiii,  13, 14. 

My  Sabbaths  they  greatly  polluted. 

I  am  the  Lord  your  God;  walk  in  my  statutes,  and  hallow  my  Sabbaths. 
Ezekiel  xx,  13. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord,  keep  ye  judgment,  and  do  justice. 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  doeth  this,  and  the  son  of  man  that  layeth  hold 
on  it;  that  keepeth  the  Sabbath  from  polluting  it,  and  keepeth  his  hand  from 
doing  any  evil.  Isaiah  Ivi,  1,  2. 

If  thou  turn  away  thy  foot  from  the  Sabbath,  from  doing  thy  pleasure  on 
my  holy  day;  and  call  the  Sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord,  honorable; 
and  shalt  honour  him,  not  doing  thine  own  ways,  nor  finding  thine  own 
pleasure,  nor  speaking  thine  own  words: 

Then  shalt  thou  delight  thyself  in  the  Lord;  and  I  will  cause  thee  to  ride 
upon  the  high  places  of  the  earth,  and  feed  thee  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob 
thy  father;  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it.  Isaiah  Iviii,  13, 14. 

But  ere  long  a  few  cannot  monopolize  all  the  comforts,  nor  the 
masses  be  obliged  to  struggle  hard  every  hour  for  the  bare  necessities 
of  life,  for  who  can  defraud  his  neighbor  when  all  minds  will  be  a 
unit?  and  if  honesty  was  practiced  to  the  letter,  the  good  things  of 
life  would  not  be  so  unequally  divided. 

The  profit  of  the  earth  is  for  all.    Ecclesiastes  v,  9. 

Yet  ye  say,  the  way  of  the  Lord  is  not  equal.  Is  not  my  way  equal  ?  Are 
not  your  ways  unequal  ?  Ezekiel  xviii,  25. 


34  THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 

For  every  one  from  the  least  even  unto  the  greatest  is  given  to  covetous- 
ness,  from  the  prophet  even  unto  the  priest,  every  one  dealeth  falsely.  Jere- 
miah viii,  10. 

Their  tongue  is  an  arrow  shot  out;  it  speaketh  deceit;  one  speaketh 
peaceably  to  his  neighbor  with  his  mouth,  but  in  heart  he  layeth  wait.  Jere- 
miah ix,  8. 

As  a  cage  is  full  of  birds,  so  are  their  houses  full  of  deceit;  therefore  they 
are  become  great,  and  waxen  rich.  Jeremiah  v,  27. 

Behold  these  are  the  ungodly  who  prosper  in  the  world;  they  increase  in 
riches.  Psalms  Ixxiii,  12. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord,  execute  ye  judgment  and  righteousness,  and  deliver 
the  spoiled  out  of  the  hand  of  the  oppressor;  and  do  no  wrong,  do  no  violence 
to  the  stranger,  the  fatherless,  nor  the  widow.  Jeremiah  xxii,  3. 

Be  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  your  mind;  putting  away  lying,  speak  every 
man  truth  with  his  neighbor;  for  we  are  members  one  of  another.  Ephesians 
iv,  23,  25. 

That  they  all  may  be  one;  as  thou, Father,  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee,  that 
they  also  may  be  one  in  us.  John  xvii.  21. 

Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in 
unity  !  Psalms  cxxxiii,  1. 


THE   WITCH   HYPNOTIZER.  35 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Ever  on  the  alert  to  do  good  the  Witch  stopped  at  a  rickety  tenement, 
with  nothing  to  recommend  it  but  a  climbing  rose-bush,  set  out  by  some 
flower-loving  tenant  a  number  of  years  before,  and  which  twined  its 
long  branches  in  full  bloom  over  one  end  of  the  dilapidated  structure; 
it  was  an  illustration  of  extremes  meeting,  this  perfectly  beautiful 
rose-bush  and  the  unsightly  old  porch.  The  landlady  did  not  care  to 
buy  a  bird,  and  none  of  the  occupants  of  her  rooms  were  at  home  dur- 
ing the  day,  except  one,  who  poor  boy,  was  always  in,  and  a  visitor 
would  be  sure  to  cheer  him  up  a  bit,  though  it  would  be  useless  to 
try  and  sell  a  bird  there.  She  led  the  way  up  a  flight  of  stairs  to  the 
room  where  a  little  cripple  was  amusing  himself  with  a  few  marbles 
that  he  was  rolling  about  on  the  table  by  which  he  was  sitting. 

He  was  delighted  with  the  birds,  but  knew  that  his  sister  could  not 
afford  to  buy  him  one.  He  said  she  was  employed  up  town  in  a  store, 
naming  the  business  block  of  a  well-known  and  very  wealthy  merchant, 
and  he  could  not  go  out  and  play  like  other  boys,  and  the  days  seemed 
very  long  sometimes. 

Yes,  thought  our  Witch,  a  day  must  be  a  long  time  to  this  poor 
weakling  with  little  to  amuse  him. 

She  gave  him  his  choice  of  the  birds,  and  after  promising  to  bring 
it  back  in  the  evening  with  a  new  cage  which  she  would  buy  for  him, 
the  Witch  took  her  leave. 


OF  THE 
TTTVTTTT-T-iT-j  i 


36  THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


A  little  way  down  the  street  in  advance  of  her  was  a  heavy  wagon 
drawn  by  one  patient  horse  that  looked  as  though  it  might  have  seen 
better  days,  but  now  one  could  numerate  every  rib  in  its  worn  frame. 

The  driver  was  beating  the  poor  animal  unmercifully.  It  doubtless 
had  a  history,  and  if  allowed  speech  would  tell  of  a  gradual  decline,  of 
careful  nourishment  and  little  to  do  in  its  prime,  but  when  strength 
and  beauty  began  to  wane,  of  a  harder  life,  and  now  in  old  age  when 
attention  was  most  needful,  must  fall  in  line  with  the  great  majority 
of  overworked,  under-fed  beasts  of  burden,  and  some  day  when  no  lon- 
ger able  to  hold  up  the  harness,  would  be  taken  out  and  shot. 

Our  Witch  could  hear  in  her  mind's  ear  the  rebuke  of  old  : 

What  have  I  done  unto  thee,  that  thou  has  smitten  me  these  three 
times  ?  Numbers  xxii,  28. 

She  watched  the  man  intently  for  a  few  seconds,  and  then  his  arm 
dropped  to  his  side.  Why  this  sudden  sympathy  so  foreign  to  his  hard- 
ened nature  ? 

The  All-seeing  Eye  must  often  look  down  in  tenderest  pity  on 
this  ill-treated  animal  creation,  which  is  more  deserving  of  His  regard 
than  these  inhuman  beings,  who  by  their  cruelty  place  themselves  far 
below  a  level  with  the  lower  animals. 

The  Lord  is  good  to  all ;  and  His  tender  mercies  are  over  all  His  works. 
Psalms  cxlv,  9. 

Be  ye  therefore  merciful,  as  your  Father  is  also  merciful.    Luke  vi,  36. 

The  merciful  man  doeth  good  to  his  own  soul :  but  he  that  is  cruel  troub- 
leth  his  own  flesh.  Proverbs  xi,  17. 

Surely  the  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals  is  one 
of  the  noblest  organizations  of  modern  times,  and  for  good  work  stands 
second  to  no  religious  denomination  that  has  ever  existed,  or  ever  will 
exist. 


THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER.  37 


CHAPTER     XXIII. 


Her  next  stopping  place  was  not  in  a  rookery  part  of  the  city,  but  was 
where  wealth  abounds.  It  was  just  before  the  noon  hour  when  she 
entered  the  palatial  home  of  a  many  times  millionaire  and  was  ush- 
ered into  the  library  where  he  was  busy  with  some  papers.  "  Would 
you  care  to  buy  a  bird,  sir  ?  " 

"I  have  no  time  to  talk  with  you  this  morning,  madam."  He  looked 
at  her  uneasily,  and  mentally  resolved  to  administer  a  reproof  to  the 
servant  for  allowing  these  tramping  peddlars  to  enter  the  house. 

The  magnetic  power  was  again  brought  into  requisition. 

The  Witch  might  have  used  this  influence  for  her  own  financial  ad- 
vantage, but  was  top  concientious  for  that,  and  furthermore  money 
was  not  her  aim  in  life. 

Gradually  there  came  stealing  into  this  rich  man's  brain  new 
thoughts;  was  he  doing  right  with  his  boundless  wealth  ?  He  could 
not  understand  why  he  was  just  waking  up  to  the  fact  that  he  had 
not. 

How  many  needy  ones  had  he  passed  by  ? 

Withhold  not  good  to  them  to  whom  it  is  due,  when  it  is  in  the  power  of 
thine  hand  to  do  it.  Proverbs  iii,  27. 

To  endow  some  charitable  institution  at  his  death,  as  a  monument 
to  his  own  memory,  would  hardly  atone  for  neglected  duty.  Would 
God  hold  him  responsible  for  this  neglect  and  bar  him  from  the 
Kingdom  ? 

Thou  art  weighed  in  the  balances,  and  art  found  wanting.    Daniel  v,  27. 

Woe  unto  him  that  buildeth  his  house  by  unrighteousness,  and  his  cham- 
bers by  wrong;  that  useth  his  neighbor's  service  withoiit  wages,  and  giveth 
him  not  for  his  work.  Thine  eyes  and  thine  heart  are  not  but  for  thy  covet- 
ousness.  Jeremiah  xxii,  13,  17. 

Your  riches  are  corrupted,  and  your  garments  are  moth-eaten.  Your  gold 
and  silver  is  cankered;  andtherustof  them  shall  be  awitness  against  you  and 
shall  eat  your  flesh  as  it  were  fire.  Ye  have  heaped  treasures  together  for  the 
last  days.  Behold  the  hire  of  the  laborers  who  have  reaped  down  your  fields, 
which  is  of  you  kept  back  by  fraud,  crieth:  and  the  cries  of  them  which 
reaped  are  entered  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth.  James  v,  2,  3,  4. 


38  THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 

Who  so  stoppeth  his  ears  at  the  cry  of  the  poor,  he  shall  cry  himself,  but 
shall  not  be  heard.  Proverbs  xxi,  13. 

Let  not  the  rich  man  glory  in  his  riches.    Jeremiah  ix,  23. 

Neither  their  silver  nor  their  gold  shall  be  able  to  deliver  them  in  the  day 
of  the  Lord's  wrath.  Zephaniah  i,  18. 

Charge  them  that  are  rich  in  this  world,  that  they  be  not  high-minded,  nor 
trust  in  uncertain  riches,  but  in  the  living  God,  who  giveth  us  richly  all 
things  to  enjoy.  That  they  do  good,  that  they  be  rich  in  good  works,  ready 
to  distribute.  *  I  Timothy  vi,  17, 18. 

He  that  oppresseth  the  poor  reproacheth  his  Maker:  but  he  that  houoreth 
Him  hath  mercy  on  the  poor.  Proverbs  xiv,  31. 

As  a  partridge  sitteth  on  eggs,  and  hatcheth  them  not;  so  he  that  get- 
teth  riches,  and  not  by  right,  shall  leave  them  in  the  midst  of  his  days,  and  at 
his  end  shall  be  a  fool.  Jeremiah  xvii,  11. 


U"NIVERSI 

THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZKR. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


Faithful  to  her  promise,  the  Witch  purchased  a  cage,  and  early  in 

the  evening  returned  to  the  cripple's  abode  and  was  joyfully  greeted. 

"O,  but  you  are  a  good  lady  to  think  of  me,  only  a  cripple  boy  !" 

She  felt  that  it  was  indeed  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive 

(Acts  XX,  35)  when  one  could  do  (rod  a  service  at  the  same  time. 

As  ye  have  done  it  unto  the  least  of  these  ye  have  done  it  unto  Me.  Mat- 
thew xxv,  40. 

He  that  hath  pity  upon  the  poor  lendeth  to  the  Lord.    Proverbs  xix,  17. 

In  a  short  time  the  sister  came.  His  face  brightened  up  with 
pleasure  when  he  told  her  of  the  present  he  had  received ;  now  he 
would  have  a  companion  all  through  the  long  days. 

She  was  also  in  a  happy  mood.  The  head  of  the  firm  where  she 
worked  had  raised  the  salary  of  all  his  employes,  and  she  was  very 
thankful  for  her  good  luck  because  of  her  brother  who  needed  more 
books  and  toys,  for  the  poor  child  had  to  amuse  himself  the  best  he 
could  during  the  day.  The  Witch  returned  home.  She  saw  the  progress 
of  her  work  many  times  after  in  this  millionaire's  acts  of  benevolence 
which  were  so  liberal  as  to  excite  press  comment. 

Blessed  is  he  that  considereth  the  poor;  the  Lord  will  deliver  him  in  time 
of  trouble.  Psalms  xli,  1. 


40  THE   WITCH    HYPNOTIZER. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Our  Witch  read  of  the  doings  in  the  old  world  and  was  sorry  that 
distance  and  sea  prevented  this  influence  from  being  brought  to  bear 
upon  some  of  the  crowned  heads,  who,  born  to  almost  absolute  power, 
showed  no  mercy  to  a  religious  sect,  who  according  to  Holy  Writ  are 
the  chosen  people  of  God.  But  one  alone  cannot  revolutionize  the 
earth,  unless  that  one  be  omnipotent. 

Some  day  this  persecution  must  come  to  an  end. 

For  the  Lord  will  have  mercy  on  Jacob,  and  will  yet  choose  Israel,  and 
set  them  in  their  own  land,  and  the  stranger  shall  be  joined  with  them.  Isaiah 
xiv,  1. 

Prepare  to  meet  thy  God,  O  Israel.    Amos  iv,  12. 

The  great  day  of  the  Lord  is  near,  it  is  near,  and  hasteth  greatly.  Zeph- 
aniah  i,  14. 

Let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  laud  tremble,  for  the  day  of  the  Lord 
Cometh,  for  it  is  nigh  at  hand.  Joel,  ii,  1. 

But  of  that  day  and  hour  no  man,  no  not  the  angels  of  heaven,  but  my 
Father  only.  Watch,  therefore,  for  ye  know  not  what  hour  your  Lord  doth 
come.  Matthew  xxiv,  36,  42. 

Obey,  I  beseech  thee,  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  which  I  speak  unto  thee,  so  it 
shall  be  well  unto  thee,  and  thy  soul  shall  live.  Jeremiah  xxxviii,  20. 

Return  ye  now  every  one  from  his  evil  way  and  make  your  ways  and 
your  doings  good.  Jeremiah  xviii,  11. 

And  to  wait  for  his  Son  from  heaven  whom  he  raised  from  the  dead,  even 
Jesus,  which  delivered  us  from  the  wrath  to  come.  I  Thessalonians  i,  10. 

Neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other;  for  there  is  none  other  name 
under  heaven  given  among  men,  whereby  we  must  be  saved.  Acts  iv,  12. 

There  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ 
Jesus  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  Spirit.  Romans  viii,  1. 

Draw  nigh  to  God  and  he  will  draw  nigh  to  you; 

Cleanse  your  hands,  ye  sinners,  and  purify  your  hearts,  ye  double  minded. 
James  iv,  8. 

Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock:  if  any  man  hear  my  voice,  and 
open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup  with  him,  and  he  with 
me.  Revelation  iii,  20. 

I  will  heal  their  backsliding,  I  will  love  them  freely.    Hosea  xiv,  4. 

Repent  ye,  therefore,  and  be  converted,  that  your  sins  may  be  blotted  out 
when  the  times  of  refreshing  shall  come  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord;  and 
he  shall  send  Jesus  Christ,  which  before  was  preached  unto  you.  Acts  iii, 
19,20. 

If  ye  thoroughly  amend  your  ways  and  your  doings;  if  ye  thoroughly 
execute  judgment  between  a  man  and  his  neighbor; 

If  ye  oppress  not  the  stranger,  the  fatherless,  and  the  widow,  and  shed 
not  innocent  blood  in  this  place,  neither  walk  after  other  gods  to  your  hurt; 


THE    WITCH    HYPNOTIZER.  41 

Then  will  I  cause  you  to  dwell  in  this  place,  iu  the  land  I  gave  to  your 
fathers,  for  ever  and  ever.  Obey  my  voice  and  I  will  be  your  God,  and  ye 
shall  be  my  people.  Jeremiah  vii,  5,  6,  7,  23. 

Therefore,  turn  thou  to  thy  God;  keep  mercy  and  judgment,  and  wait  on 
thy  God  continually.  Hosea  xii,  6. 

Depart  from  evil  and  do  good,  and  dwell  for  evermore.    Psalms  xxxvii,  27. 

The  redeemed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and  come  singing  unto  Zion;  and 
everlasting  joy  shall  be  upon  their  head;  they  shall  obtain  gladness  and  joy; 
and  sorrow  and  mourning  shall  flee  away.  Isaiah  li,  11. 

And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  he  that  is  left  in  Zion,  and  he  that  remain- 
eth  in  Jerusalem  shall  be  called  holy,  even  every  one  lhat  is  written  among 
the  living  in  Jerusalem.  When  the  Lord  shall  have  washed  away  the  filth  of 
the  daughters  of  Ziou,  and  shall  have  purged  the  blood  of  Jerusalem  from  the 
midst  thereof  by  the  spirit  of  judgment,  and  by  the  spirit  of  burning.  Isaiah 
iv,  3,  4. 

Behold,  I  come  quickly.  And  the  Spirit  and  the  bride  say,  come;  and  let 
him  that  heareth  say,  come;  and  let  him  that  is  athirst  come;  and  whosoever 
will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  life  freely.  Revelation  xxii,  7, 17. 


42  THE    WITCH    HYPXO'1I/ER. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


The  Witch  did  not  go  about  her  work  the  next  day,  nor  the  next, 
for  somehow  she  contracted  a  severe  cold  which  completely  pros- 
trated her,  and  then  pneumonia  clutched  her  throat. 

One  morning,  when  the  first  golden  rays  of  the  sun  glanced  over 
the  sleeping  city,  they  rested  in  benediction  on  her  death  bed.  A 
neighbor,  whom  in  time  past  she  had  befriended,  was  at  her  fide. 

She  knew  that  the  end  was  near. 

Will  this  influence  stop  here?  or  will  it  go  on  and  on  through  all 
the  ages  to  come  ? 

Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth:  Yea,  paith 
the  Spirit,  that  they  mav  rest  from  their  labours;  and  their  works  do  follow 
them.  Revelation  xiv,  13. 


14  DAY  USE 

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